The official blog for singer, writer, director and human rights advocate Aisha and her affiliated web sites.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Obama's Visit To South Africa Being Met With Protests And Calls For His Arrest

Barack Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama has embarked on a tour of African
nations, but all is not well for the head of state during the trip.
Police fired rubber bullets and a stun grenade at hundreds of
protestors in South Africa. The large crowd had gathered to protest
President Obama's policies.

Elsewhere in South Africa groups are demanding Obama be arrested.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), African National
Congress, South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Muslim Lawyer's
Association (MLA) are all calling for Obama's arrest over his policies.

STORY SOURCE

Anti-Obama protests dispersed by South Africa
police

11:18 a.m. EDT June 29, 2013 - President Obama is meeting with South
Africa's leader at the start of a weekend visit that will pay tribute
to the legacy of critically ill former President Nelson Mandela.
JOHANNESBURG — Police fired rubber bullets and a stun grenade into a
crowd of hundreds of protesters waiting for President Obama to arrive
at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday. The crowd quickly
scattered as police officers walked up the street pushing protesters
away with shot guns.

28 Jun 2013 15:59 - US President might not be received in South
Africa with the aplomb he enjoys elsewhere on the continent...

The country's largest trade union grouping, the Congress of South
African Trade Unions (Cosatu), which is in alliance with the governing
African National Congress, has called on its members to join workers
and citizens across the globe to "actively participate" in
protests against Obama's visit.

Cosatu cites Obama's "horrifying record of US foreign policy in
the world", highlighting, the "militarisation of
international relations for the multinational companies and their
profit-seeking classes in the US". It is also opposing the
"US support for oppressive regimes that benefit US narrow
interests", saying in a statement on its website that its call was
part of world-wide struggle against imperialism.

Many in the country have already heeded the call with a huge
protests, dubbed the "Nobama campaign", being planned across
the country. The University of Johannesburg's decision to award him an
honorary degree has already spurred protest and frustration.

Among the various organisations supporting Cosatu's call include the
South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Muslim Lawyer's
Association (MLA)...